HEADLINES

Charles Tillman

Bears Notes: Tillman, Wright, Bennett

January 31st, 2014 at 9:41am CST by Luke Adams

As the Bears look ahead to an offseason in which nearly two dozen players on the roster will be eligible for unrestricted free agency, let’s check in on the latest updates on the team….

  • Clarifying some comments he made earlier in the week, Charles Tillman confirmed to Chicago’s AM 670 The Score that when he said he intended to retire a Bear, it didn’t necessarily mean he’d re-sign with the team this spring. Instead, Tillman figures to keep his options open this offseason, but would like to return to Chicago and end his career with the Bears even if he doesn’t play for the club in 2014. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune has the details and the quotes from Tillman.
  • Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com writes that safety is an urgent need in this year’s draft for the Bears, who have multiple free agents at the position, including starting strong safety Major Wright.
  • In a separate piece at ESPNChicago.com, Dickerson and Jon Greenberg debate a number of Bears-related topics, including who won the Jay Cutler trade with the Broncos, whether or not the Bears should pursue Michael Bennett in free agency, and whether the club should focus exclusively on defensive players in the draft.

NFC North Notes: Tillman, Bell, Keisel, Lions

January 30th, 2014 at 11:19am CST by Luke Adams

Charles Tillman earned about $8MM in 2013, the last year of his contract with the Bears. Although he had another solid season when he was healthy, recording three INTs and forcing three fumbles in eight games, Tillman likely won’t be offered a similar salary by the Bears in free agency, given his age and the team’s limited flexibility. Still, as Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times details, the 32-year-old defensive back appeared on 670 The Score in Chicago on Wednesday and didn’t sound like someone eager to play elsewhere.

“In perfect world, I will finish as a Bear,” Tillman told Laurence Holmes. “I guarantee I will retire a Chicago Bear. I guarantee that.”

While we wait to see if the two sides can work out a deal that will keep Tillman in a Bears uniform, let’s round up a few other notes from out of the NFC North….

  • “I would like to just bypass all this and sign a long-term deal,” Joique Bell said of his impending free agency, according to Kyle Meinke of MLive.com. Since he only has three years of experience, Bell will be a restricted free agent, meaning the Lions will have the ability to match any offers he receives. Still, it sounds as if the running back would rather negotiate a multiyear contract directly with the Lions, rather than hoping they match.
  • While longtime Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel hopes to re-sign with Pittsburgh, he would definitely consider joining the Lions this spring, as he tells 105.1FM in Detroit (quotes via Justin Rogers of MLive.com). “They’ve got a great team,” Keisel said. “I really like their quarterback. They’ve got Megatron. Who wouldn’t want to play with those guys?”
  • Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com takes a closer look at the Bears‘ situation at cornerback, where Tillman isn’t the only player facing free agency.
  • Kellen Davis, who will play for the Seahawks in this weekend’s Super Bowl, tells Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times that he felt “a little bit slighted” by the Bears when Chicago cut him last March.

NFC North Notes: McCown, Tillman, Turner

January 29th, 2014 at 4:20pm CST by Rob DiRe

Without an extension or a new contract from the Bears, Charles Tillman will be the most accomplished of all the free agent cornerbacks this offseason. Despite that, his age might take him out of the running for a large contract, according to Joel Corry of the National Football Post (via Twitter). Corry sees that Tampa Bay would be a logical fit, where Tillman could reunite with Lovie Smith. Here are some other notes from the NFC North:

  • Josh McCown has been a prominent name after filling in for Jay Cutler for five games this season, and there was thought to be an opportunity to compete for a starting job next season, but Scott Krinch of CSNChicago.com believes that McCown is sincere in saying he wants to return. “It’s going to have to look really good for me to go someplace else,” McCown stated. “Because my heart is in Chicago and that is where I want to be.”
  • Norv Turner will join Mike Zimmer’s staff in Minnesota to be the Vikings offensive coordinator, reports Derek Wetmore of ESPN (via Twitter). Turner was the offensive coordinator for the Browns in 2013.
  • The Lions have been looking for a second receiver to supplement Calvin Johnson‘s production for years, but Hall of Fame receiver and ESPN analyst Cris Carter does not believe that should be the team’s top priority, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. While Carter states that the team already passes for 5,000 yards as it is, he believes that a healthy Nate Burleson will be enough of an upgrade as to allow the organization to focus on its other shortcomings. Birkett does note that the Lions had the highest drop percentage in the NFL last year, and that general manager Martin Mayhew has taken a receiver in every draft he has been in that position.

NFC Notes: Redskins, 49ers, Tillman

January 25th, 2014 at 1:57pm CST by Rob DiRe

Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett has a lot of decisions to make, writes John Keim of ESPN.com. Key members of a defense that struggled last year are set to hit free agency, but Keim doesn’t think the team will just let them walk and start from scratch. He anticipates the Redskins to retain Brian Orakpo, Perry Riley, and DeAngelo Hall.

  • Keim also noted that the Redskins could have a few notable cuts, including Adam Carriker, Saverio Rocca, Stephen Bowen, and Chris Chester. Between inconsistent performance and injuries, Keim would not be surprised if any of those players become cap casualties.
  • The 49ers secondary is a question mark as the team is making roster decisions, according to Bill Williamson of ESPN.com. The idea that the team might release Carlos Rogers and would not be able to re-sign Donte Whitner was broached yesterday, but Williamson adds that Eric Wright is unlikely to return unless it is for the veteran’s minimum. He also noted that Perrish Cox and Darryl Morris would both be given opportunities to make the roster in training camp after showing promise at times last season.
  • Charles Tillman did not receive a new contract at season’s end, meaning there is a chance the Bears will not bring him back next in 2014, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. “I’m not worried about it,” said the Pro Bowl cornerback. “I am just going to see what happens. I have some options, I have some thoughts.” Tillman will be 33 years old next season.